Environmental Justice and Enforcement

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama enforces federal laws to protect environmental quality and human health in all communities within the district. In coordination with components of the Justice Department, the United States Attorney’s Office will hold polluters accountable for their actions, prioritizing cases that will reduce public health and environmental harms to overburdened and underserved communities.

The district’s Environmental Justice Coordinator will lead efforts to enforce both criminal and civil environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and hazardous waste laws. In addition to litigating cases in federal courtrooms throughout the district, the Coordinator will attend community meetings where environmental issues are discussed and coordinate trainings for prosecutors and investigators.

Enforcement of the Justice Department’s Strategy relies upon meaningful engagement and transparency with impacted communities regarding environmental justice issues, efforts, and results. The United States Attorney’s Office encourages the public to report suspected environmental violations within the district. Reports may be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency or by email, mail, or phone to the United States Attorney’s Office.

U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello encourages residents to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at USAALS-EnvironmentalJustice@usdoj.gov when also contacting local, state, or federal agency hotlines or websites to report environmental, health and safety concerns. Notifying our Office helps us protect the community from harmful violations of federal health & safety laws.

Who to Contact:

Report the violation to the Environmental Protection Agency at https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations if the violation impacts:

• Air quality
• Climate Change
• Chemicals and Toxics
• Health
• Land, waste, and cleanup
• Water

If the violation concerns workplace conditions such as chemicals or noxious fumes:
Contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at 1-800-321-6742 

To report an Oil or Chemical Spill:
Contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802

If the violation concerns wildlife:
Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 1-800-344-9453

If the violation concerns native communities or tribal land:
Contact the EPA Tribal and Indigenous Peoples Advisor at 907-271-1270; or
Find your local Tribal Liaison by calling 202-252-5844.

If you are concerned about discriminatory environmental and health impacts caused by recipients of federal funds:
USAALS-EnvironmentalJustice@usdoj.gov
       &
DOJ Civil Rights at 1-888-TITLE-06 (1-888-848-5306)

 Community members who are interested in learning more about our environmental protection practice are encouraged to contact the U.S. Attorney's Office Environmental Justice Coordinator via email at USAALS-EnvironmentalJustice@usdoj.gov